Ajmal ruled out of Worcestershire stint

Worcestershire have confirmed that Saeed Ajmal will not be able to join them for the Friends Life t20 due to international commitments with Pakistan.

ESPNcricinfo reported earlier this month that Ajmal would have to pull out of his contract because of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and that trip is now set to take place between late May and mid-July. The FLt20 tournament begins on June 12 with the group stages finishing on July 8.

Ajmal played for Worcestershire last year and was their best bowler in the FLt20. He claimed 16 wickets in eight games, conceding fewer than six runs an over and averaging 11.37 per wicket.

Worcestershire's director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, said: "Losing a player of Saeed's quality is a big disappointment, however, we are extremely active in finding a replacement for the t20."

Ajmal's Pakistan team-mate Junaid Khan, the left-arm fast bowler, is still waiting to find out whether he will be given permission to join Lancashire for the second half of the season including the FLt20.